'88 manual hatch release cable - can it be extended?

[John G.]

I'm working thru each operations section and for the rear hatch as specified "Pull the cable forward to disengage the locking solenoid" I felt the cable with my finger and then it was "gone". This is a repeat of an earlier event doing the same procedure. Even with a hook I couldn't retrieve it. As pictured is this the correct length? If it is what will be the consequences of lengthening it? If I lengthen it should I use a similar piece of fish leader or what? Or just let the ops points go?

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[Paul S.]

Re: '88 manual hatch release cable - can it be extended?

Here's a picture of the cable on my '96 CE. It's the correct length. If you lengthen yours you will get a deduction. A National Interior Judge recommends that you attach a hemostat as shown in your picture and mine. There's no deduction for presenting it this way. Hope this helps...Paul

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[Edward B.]

Re: '88 manual hatch release cable - can it be extended?

You get a deduction for lengthening the cable to make it usable, but no deduction for attaching a hemostat to make it usable. I fail to see the logic in that distinction.

[John G.]

Re: '88 manual hatch release cable - can it be extended?

OK - I'll do the small clamp. I'm not sure what they'll think of this at Corvettes on the Circle next weekend - got to be someway around this. I'll noodle this for awhile.

[Paul S.]

Re: '88 manual hatch release cable - can it be extended?

The difference is usable vs. judging an original part. Sometimes these wires are almost impossible to access during the judging process (as indicated in the original post). The hemostat is just a temporary aide to present an original part for judging.

[John G.]

Re: '88 manual hatch release cable - can it be extended?

I'm going to have a hemostat but I also show my car. So I came up with this. Stranded fishing line is looped tight to the swagged piece and then tied up the steel line such that it's not visible even with the steel line pulled out. Then the fishing line goes almost to the edge of the screen and a large loop put it. I tested and can get this to allow me to either retrieve the steel or as a pull. The question is will I lose any judging points for this solution?
88-corvette-hatch-pull-fix-1.jpg88-corvette-hatch-pull-fix-2.jpg

[Paul S.]

Re: '88 manual hatch release cable - can it be extended?

An important thing to remember, when you're preparing your car for Flight Judging, is that any part that differs from the way the car was delivered by the GM Factory is subject to CDCIF, Standard Deduction guidelines or condition guidelines.

A part will most likely get some kind of deduction if you make any modifications to it that changes the way "The General" originally made it.

Paul

BTW...several guys that will be judging your car in 2 weeks are enjoying your posts.

[John G.]

Re: '88 manual hatch release cable - can it be extended?

First of course - the part about adding the fishing line never happened (that's of course not totally accurate). The problem with this cable is that for me is that if I don't catch it with my little finger the first time it goes rearward and I can't ever reach it again. How do other people grab this cable once you can't touch it (hemostat?)?

Until I started going through every item in the TIM&JG the only thing I knew was going to be an issue was the E brake. That "only" took two days between freeing the cables in the rear and fixing the switch and cam. And then I've already replaced 6 bulbs - before I started only thought I had 1 to replace. And the cable. And now the headlight switch. And ???

I may sound like I'm whining but I actually love doing this. Anxious to be able to help some of my friends with there older Vets as well and finish my '61. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the meet.

[Paul S.]

Re: '88 manual hatch release cable - can it be extended?

IMO, if a judge can't find the cable in a reasonable amount of time it will probably get a deduction, even though it's in there somewhere. The difficulty getting to this cable is why it's considered acceptable to hang a hemostat from it for judging purposes. Many will agree that this cable is not one of GM's best ideas.

One of the guys, that will be judging your car, asked me to remind you to be very familiar with the locking and alarm system in your car. Some of the Chapter's C4 judges have seen this cause problems for several owners during Op's judging (including themselves).

To repeat what others have advised...don't sweat the small stuff, but try to correct some of the large deductions. Naturally, that are financially feasible. Operations can be a heavy hit if things don't work properly.

Most of all, relax and enjoy the process. You'll probably learn a lot about your car from some very knowledgeable C4 guys that will be judging your car. All have had their cars judged, some have achieved a Mark of Excellence award with theirs. But, please save your questions until after the judging is complete. There are a lot of cars to be judged in a small amount of time.

Hope this helps...Paul

[John G.]

Re: '88 manual hatch release cable - can it be extended?

I went through the entire operations the other day including the alarm system. Interestingly it had never "gone off" in real life but then I disable the battery at car shows and when I'm home it's in the garage. I know I should relax - BUT...

Going through ops is where I did find another light bulb I had missed in the high center brake assembly. Hopefully going thru the whole TIM&JG will pay off. There are some things that are minor problems like scratches and cracked plastic but I fixed just about everything I can. Car looks the best that it's actually looked in years. We'll see. But we are committed to having fun.

[Edward B.]

Re: '88 manual hatch release cable - can it be extended?

I'm still having trouble with the observation that presenting the car with a hemostat attached to the cable will not result an any point deduction. Is this simply one judge's opinion or is there some authority to back up this position? The hemostat and its larger cousin the Vise-Grip don't seem to be mentioned in the judging manual.

[David H.]

Re: '88 manual hatch release cable - can it be extended?

I'm still having trouble with the observation that presenting the car with a hemostat attached to the cable will not result an any point deduction. Is this simply one judge's opinion or is there some authority to back up this position? The hemostat and its larger cousin the Vise-Grip don't seem to be mentioned in the judging manual.

The purpose of the hemostat is NOT for judging. The purpose of the hemostat is if you NEED TO USE the cable release. Likely use is during an emergency and you don't want to be fishing around for the cable - the hemostat makes it easy to find. As to points, pretty easy to unclip the hemostat before judging, wouldn't be much of a deduction in any case. P.S. You did get a smile with the "Vice-Grip" comment.

[John G.]

Re: '88 manual hatch release cable - can it be extended?

CRAYZ!!! My car is pretty bone stock. I took off the back panel to find the cable which originally could never have been reached via hemostat or any other way. Then put the panel back on. I crawled in, went to retrieve it and it went "back up inside" when I tried to grab it. Couldn't get it with a hook. Took the panel back off and watched what it took to get it. You'd have to be skilled or lucky to ever retrieve it. I'll take a hemostat with me for judging.

I'm wondering if I could put a permanent kink in the cable by the collar so that it would always be more toward the front of the car and not push away when someone attempts to retrieve it. Anyone ever done this and the judge(s) were OK with it?